[theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: Ju

Reply-To: theburmanetnews-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: June 6, 2000
______________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
______________ www.burmanet.org _______________
June 6, 2000
Issue # 1547
The BurmaNet News is viewable online at:
http://theburmanetnews.editthispage.com
*Inside Burma
NLD: ILLEGAL ARRESTS ON ELECTION ANNIVERSARY
SHRF: FORCED PORTERING IN PEACEFUL CEASEFIRE AREA IN SI-PAW (SHAN
STATE)
KARENNI NEWS AGENCY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: EXPLOITATION OF MINERS
*Regional
THE TIMES OF INDIA: TIES WITH MYANMAR JUNTA YIELD DIVIDENDS
AFP: JAPAN TRIGGERS FURY OVER LIST OF MOURNERS TO LEADER'S FUNERAL
BANGKOK POST: PARTY CLAIMS POLICY WELCOMED ABROAD
BBC: CHINA-INDIA HIGHWAY PLAN
AFP: CHINA AND MYANMAR AGREE TO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
COOPERATION
THE PEOPLE'S DAILY: MYANMAR LEADER LEAVES FOR CHINA VISIT
*International
INFO BIRMANIE: TRANSLATION OF FRENCH MPS REPORT ON YADANA PIPELINE
(EXCERPT)
*Economy/Business
BBC: BURMA'S POWERFUL DRUG INDUSTRY
BANGKOK POST: WA 'SEEKING ALTERNATIVE TO DRUG TRADE'
FREE BURMA COALITION - MINNESOTA: CARLSON COMPANIES PULLS OUT OF BURMA
*Opinion/Editorials
JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE (JAPAN): ON LT. GEN. KHIN NYUNT'S VISIT TO
JAPAN
*Other
BURMANET: CORRECTION
__________________ INSIDE BURMA ____________________
NLD: ILLEGAL ARRESTS ON ELECTION ANNIVERSARY
NLD Statement 75
National League for Democracy
No: (97/B), West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon
Statement 75(5/00) (translation)
Contents of letter dated 29 May 2000 sent by Chairman of NLD to
Chairman of SPDC are published for information to all.
" (Start) Subject - Arresting unjustly and illegally"
On the 27 May, 2000, the National League for Democracy, a legally
constituted political party legitimately commemorated the tenth
anniversary of the general elections that had been sponsored by the
military authorities themselves.
This event was held at its office and only members of the
organisation participated. The authorities illegally blocked access
to nearby roads on that day thus denying the public the right to
motor traffic and walking. Entry was allowed only to holders of NLD
cards and national registration cards which was strictly checked by
the authorities.
During the legitimate proceedings on the occasion, Daw Khin Nu and
Daw Chaw, the owners of the office building, who had nothing to do
with the goings on were summoned and threatened by the authorities
and rudely spoken to. Their exact words were "We do not want to hear
this sound box. Go and close it". The two ladies conveyed this
message to the leaders of the NLD as was their duty.
The truth of the matter is that the owners of the office building
were in no way associated with the proceedings and there was no way
that such proceedings could adversely effect the peace and
tranquility of the neighborhood. In fact, the blockage of the roads
by the authorities was a cause for inconvenience and a nuisance to
society effecting the peace and stability of the vicinity adversely.
The NLD, a legally constituted political party was exercising its
legal right to commemorate a legal event.
But, making the above event as an excuse, Daw Khin Nu and Daw Chaw
were illegally arrested and taken away on that night at 17:30
hours. Both these ladies are elderly and dependent on medication
for their deteriorating physical conditions. The authorities refused
to allow members of their family to take them the necessary daily
medication. We have heard that they have now been sent to the Insein
jail. We are positive that their health and lives will suffer because
of the denial to them of their daily medication.
This kind of excessive abuse of authority against individuals that
are in no way connected with the event contradicts the "rule of law"
slogan which the authorities keep on proclaiming. Should the health
and lives of the two ladies be endangered it will be the sole
responsibility of those authorities who ordered such arrests.
If the authorities have any objection to the commemoration of a
legal event (the 10th anniversary of the general elections) by a
legally constituted political party exercising its legal rights,
they should have discussed the matter with the NLD. Arresting and
imprisoning Daw Khin Nu and Daw Chaw, two innocent elderly ladies on
this account is totally unacceptable and we strongly demand that
they be immediately set free. (End) "
Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy
Rangoon
May 29, 2000
____________________________________________________
SHRF: FORCED PORTERING IN PEACEFUL CEASEFIRE AREA IN SI-PAW (SHAN
STATE)
SHAN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION
SHRF MONTHLY REPORT -- MAY 2000
In January 2000, on a military operation in Murng Khur tract
area, Si-Paw township, a column of about 100 SPDC troops from Nam-Lan-
based LIB506 led by Maj. Kaung Kyaw had forcibly taken several
civilians to serve as porters for several days. The following
is an account of one of the porters who had to serve the military for
13 days, from 10.1.00 to 22.1.00.
On 10.1.00, at about 8:00 hrs in the morning, Ai Zaam, aged 26,
a Palaung villager of Naa Mawn village, Murng Khur tract, Si-Paw
township, was seized at his village by a passing column of SPDC
troops from LIB506 to serve as a porter. He was forced to
carry rice and some backpacks of the soldiers. There were about 30
civilian porters with him at the time. It was said that the troops
came from Paang Hung village early in that morning, drew their
rations at Ho Kho village military camp and came to Naa Mawn village
where they took Ai Zaam.
For several days, the troops searched along the route which went
through several villages, somewhat in a circle, in Murng-Khur tract.
On 22.1.00, at Paang Hung village, 12 porters were released,
including Ai Zaam, after serving for several days and were suffering
from badly injured feet and shoulders. But the same number of new
porters were taken to replace them, and even 1 ox-cart was taken in
addition. During the 13-days period in which Ai Zaam had to serve as
a porter, the troops took 7 more civilian porters at different points
and 4 of the soldiers from Company No.3 deserted. While travelling,
several porters were beaten, particularly those from Murng Tung were
most hit. All the porters were tied up to their loads, and were
untied only at eating and sleeping times.
In the villages, the troops took the chickens they wanted without
paying. They bought 2 pigs for the troops on the way, enough to
distribute 1 viss of pork to each soldier. The rice they fed the
porters was rotten and had horrible smell, and was given with only
salt. Only when they happened to be eating in a village, could the
porters ask for some dried or pickled bean or vegetables from the
villagers.
As a result of 13-days portering, Ai Zaam suffered from extreme
weakness and badly injured feet and shoulders.
____________________________________________________
KARENNI NEWS AGENCY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: EXPLOITATION OF MINERS
June 6, 2000
News from Inside Karenni
Mawchi mine was the biggest wolfram and tin mine until the Second
World War. It is situated in District 2 of Karenni. The mine was
nationalized during the BSPP rule. People continue to work in the
mine in hazardous conditions. The equipment used today is the same as
that of 50 years ago when the British managed the mine. People are
often forced to stop work due to ill health.
The miners are paid by the amount of mineral they mine. The price was
40 kyats per 1 1/2 kilos. The current official price is 200 kyats but
people are still paid only 40 kyats. The people have been encouraged
to work by being promised the official rate. They can barely manage
to live on the price they receive, one kilo of poor quality rice
costs 90 kyats.
Battle News
The SPDC are still operating in Karenni although the rainy season has
begun, KNPP troops have reported. In the past the major operations of
the troops has been restricted to the dry season. Fighting is
continuing in most parts of Karenni. The result of this is that
people are still being used as porters to carry army supplies and
ammunitions and have to pay porter fees. In the areas where the army
operates villages are burned, villagers are tortured and properties
are looted.
____________________ REGIONAL ____________________
THE TIMES OF INDIA: TIES WITH MYANMAR JUNTA YIELD DIVIDENDS
June 6, 2000.
NEW DELHI: India's decision to improve ties with the military regime
in Yangon has yielded rich dividends for its counter-insurgency
operations in the northeastern states bordering Myanmar, official
sources said.
The Myanmar Army has been cracking down on camps operated by outlawed
northeastern insurgent groups in the Naga-inhabited areas of the
neighbouring country, forcing hundreds of tribal guerrillas on the
run, a senior Home Ministry official said.
"The crackdown began after new measures to curb cross-border
terrorism and to improve border security were put in place after a
meeting between the chiefs of the Armies of the two countries in
January this year," the official said.
Four of the seven states in the insurgency-affected northeast --
Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh -- share a boundary
with Myanmar.
Among the insurgent groups which had established camps in Myanmar are
the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland
(NSCN-K) and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), which is
also under pressure from authorities in Bhutan to wind up its camps
in the mountain kingdom.
The NSCN-K has already declared a unilateral cease-fire and its
leadership is now holding talks with the Indian Army to frame ground
rules for a formal cessation of hostilities, the official said.
Under New Delhi's policy of "constructive engagement" of Myanmar's
junta, several measures have already been initiated to improve trade
and economic ties with Yangon.
India's Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing a Rs 1
billion four-lane highway connecting the trading town of Moreh in
Manipur with Tamu and Kaleymo in Myanmar, the Home Ministry official
said.
The Cabinet recently cleared the import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from
Myanmar for the northeastern states while a team of officials from
the Union Power Ministry recently visited Myanmar to conduct a techno-
economic survey for a proposed joint venture power project to be
constructed in Myanmarese territory adjacent to Manipur's Ukhrul
district, the official said.
"In fact, when the highway project is completed in September or
October, a senior Indian leader will inaugurate it as a signal of the
upturn in Indo-Myanmar ties," the official said.
Much of the groundwork for this recent improvement in Indo-Myanmar
ties was laid during Indian Army chief V.P. Malik's two-day visit to
Myanmar in January this year.
Malik, who was accompanied by senior officers from the three
services, held wide-ranging discussions with his counterpart, Gen.
Maung Aye, on increasing cooperation between the armed forces of the
two countries.
Maung Aye, who is vice-chairman of Myanmar's ruling State Peace and
Development Council and also heads several important trade and
industry bodies, made a return visit to Shillong the same month.
A high-level Indian team comprising Commerce and Industry Minister
Murasoli Maran, Power Minister R. Kumaramangalam and senior officials
from the defence, home, commerce and external affairs ministries was
rushed to Shillong for "an informal, wide-ranging exchange of views
on matters of mutual interest."
An influential section of officials in the Home Ministry and the
intelligence agencies believe India should continue engaging
Myanmar's military junta for "immediate strategic requirements."
"While we should remain sympathetic to the pro-democracy movement, we
cannot ignore the fact that the Myanmar Army is in control at the
moment," the Home Ministry official said.
This recent improvement in the ties between the two countries,
however, has its share of critics among pro-democracy activists in
Myanmar.
"Many countries see only their so-called national interest. I
strongly argue that India needs to review her policy towards Myanmar,
which is a close neighbour," Tint Swe, a leader of the National
League for Democracy (NLD) which swept the 1990 elections in Myanmar,
said in a recent interview. (India Abroad News Service)
____________________________________________________
AFP: JAPAN TRIGGERS FURY OVER LIST OF MOURNERS TO LEADER'S FUNERAL
Monday, June 5
Japan triggered fury Monday by allowing a top Myanmar general to
attend this week's memorial service for former prime minister Keizo
Obuchi while banning a top Taiwan representative.
Japan granted a visa to Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, powerful chief
of Myanmar's military intelligence, to join the mourners, said a
foreign ministry official.
The decision provoked an angry reaction from campaigners fighting for
democratic forces to replace the Myanmar military junta, of which the
general is first secretary.
Taiwan meanwhile complained Tokyo had refused a visa to President
Chen Shui-bian's personal representative, secretary general Chang
Chun-hsiung, out of consideration to China.
Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Yutaka Kawashima said it had not been
decided who would be accepted from Taiwan and therefore a decision on
visas would be premature.
But Taiwan's Foreign Minister Tien Hung-mao said Taipei deeply
regretted Tokyo's decision to refuse entry to Chang. Foreign leaders
including US President Bill Clinton are to attend Thursday's service
for Obuchi, who died May 14 at the age of 62 after six weeks in a
stroke-induced coma.
Myanmar has been a pariah to most Western nations, including the
United States and European Union, since its regime bloodily
suppressed pro-democracy protests in 1988.
"Unlike the EU and America, we have no reason to refuse a visa for
him because the government has no restrictions on granting visas to
senior Myanmar government officials," a foreign ministry official
told AFP.
Pro-democracy activists disagreed.
The Myanmar general "is a military intelligence chief and he is
already notorious for barbarity, he is responsible for cracking down
on democracy," said pro-democracy campaigner Ronny Nyein.
The decision to allow him to attend "means Japan recognises the
illegitimate government," said Nyein, member of a joint action
committee for Myanmar democracy groups in Japan.
"That is why we want to object," he said.
His joint committee groups the local branch of the National League
for Democracy, the Burma Youth Volunteer Association, the Burmese
Association in Japan, the Burmese Women's Union and the Students'
Organisation for Liberation of Burma.
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy
won a sweeping election victory in 1990 but the military, surprised
at the scale of the party's support, has refused to hand over power.
Japan suspended all but a small amount of humanitarian aid to Myanmar
in the late 1980s but agreed in February last year to help finance
reconstruction of Yangon airport. The government had been expected
to use Obuchi's funeral for sympathy votes ahead of elections on June
25, but analysts have mostly discounted it as a factor following a
series of verbal gaffes by Mori.
At least 80 countries plan to send representatives to the funeral,
the foreign ministry said, and police were stepping up security
before their arrival.
Takeshi Noda, Superintendent-General of the Metropolitan
Police, "ordered all possible measures be taken because VIPs such as
President Clinton are to attend," said a police spokesman.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was among the latest to
confirm their attendance, said a foreign ministry official.
Others already expected included Australian Prime Minister John
Howard, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President
Abdurrahman Wahid, Philippine President Joseph Estrada, South Korean
President Kim Dae-Jung and Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.
____________________________________________________
BANGKOK POST: PARTY CLAIMS POLICY WELCOMED ABROAD
June 5, 2000.
Nattaya Chetchotiros
Thai Rak Thai claims its foreign affairs, drug suppression and
economic development platforms have been well received by Burma, Laos
and Singapore. Surakiat Sathirathai, deputy party leader, said a
party team had presented the policies to leaders of the three
neighbouring countries during visits from May 10-30. Rangoon was
particularly responsive, Mr Surakiat said.
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, head of the ruling junta in Burma, had promised
full co-operation in drug suppression.
In Laos they spoke with Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh, and in
Singapore with Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo.
____________________________________________________
BBC: CHINA-INDIA HIGHWAY PLAN
Tuesday, 6 June, 2000, 13:07 GMT 14:07 UK
China has proposed building a highway to India via Burma to boost
trade and tourism. It has also suggested starting direct flights
between the two countries.
The idea was discussed during a six-day trip to China by Indian
President KR Narayanan.
Manohar Joshi, India's Minister of Heavy Industries and Public
Enterprises, said: "The Chinese want the signing of an agreement for
constructing a highway running through China, Myanmar [Burma] and
India.
"Tourism and trade cannot develop without such a link, the Chinese
feel."
China had expressed interest in Indian machinery, automobile
components, software, gems and jewellery, marine products, chemicals
and herbs, Mr Joshi said.
India, in turn, could import coal, pre-fabricated housing,
technology, electronic components, silk processing technology,
ceramics and underground mining equipment.
Trade between India and China currently totals $2bn a year.
Security
But former Indian foreign secretary MK Rasgotra said India would have
to look very carefully at any road proposal because of the security
implications.
He pointed out that China and India had still not agreed on a line of
control along their border and Beijing had helped Pakistan "a self-
confessed enemy of India" increase its nuclear capability.
"This highway will have to go through some of our very sensitive
areas, and I don't see how much trade it's going to promote," Mr
Rasgotra told the BBC.
Flights
The two countries are now considering setting up an expert committee
to look at routes for the proposed highway. They will also look at
the possibility of introducing direct flights. A memorandum of
understanding for commercial air services between China and India was
signed in 1997. But it never began because of uncertainty over
commercial viability.
Mr Joshi, who was part of the Indian delegation to visit China, said
the south-west city of Kunming had also shown interest in
establishing a sister city relationship with either Bombay or
Calcutta.
____________________________________________________
AFP: CHINA AND MYANMAR AGREE TO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
COOPERATION
BEIJING, June 6 (AFP) -
China and Myanmar on Tuesday agreed to further strengthen their 50
years of close ties by stepping up cooperation on a wide-range of
areas, including tourism and environmental protection, state media
said.
The agreement was reached during an official goodwill visit to China
by the vice-chairman of Myanmar's military junta General Maung Aye.
Although the visit was aimed at boosting military ties, neither side
revealed any details about plans for military cooperation.
The two states signed a framework for bilateral relations in the 21st
century, pledging to increase economic and diplomatic ties, according
to the official Xinhua news agency.
The two countries agreed to step up cooperation in trade, investment,
agriculture, fishery, forestry and tourism as well as stepping up
efforts to crack down on cross-border drug trafficking and smuggling.
China also agreed to allow its citizens to visit Myanmar as a tourist
destination. Both agreed to permit companies to hire contract labor
from each other, Xinhua reported.
In addition, Myanmar reaffirmed its support for the "One China"
policy, which recognizes the Communist-ruled China as the sole
government of China with Taiwan an inalienable part of the country.
"We appreciate Myanmar's continued support for the 'One China'
principle and China's great cause of reunification," Chinese Vice
President Hu Jintao said after meeting with Maung.
Maung said his government would not develop official links with
Taiwan in any form and echoed Hu's satisfaction with bilateral
relations.
"Faced with the new century, Myanmar government is willing to push
for the continuing progress of bilateral relations," Maung said.
Both governments will encourage enterprises and agencies to conduct
joint projects in agro-technique, farm produce processing, prevention
of animal diseases as well as aquatic cultivation, Xinhua said.
Cultural, education, health, sports and religious exchanges also will
be increased through exchanges and visits, Xinhua said.
The visit was planned to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar.
China, the first country to recognise Myanmar's military regime after
it seized power in a bloody coup in September 1988, is the junta's
main arms supplier.
Since coming to power, senior Myanmar generals have made frequent
visits to China and several high-ranking Chinese officials have
travelled to Yangon.
____________________________________________________
THE PEOPLE'S DAILY: MYANMAR LEADER LEAVES FOR CHINA VISIT
Monday, June 05, 2000, updated at 11:09(GMT+8)
Vice-Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) General Maung Aye left Monday for a week-long goodwill visit
to China at the invitation of Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao.
Maung Aye's main entourage includes Myanmar SPDC Third Secretary
Lieutenant-General Win Myint, Deputy Prime Minister Lieutenant-
General Tin Hla, Foreign Minister U Win Aung and eight other
ministers of Agriculture and Irrigation, Industry-1, Industry-2,
Livestock and Fisheries, Science and Technology, Electric Power,
Information, Telecommunication, Posts and Telegraphs.
Seeing off Maung Aye at the Yangon International Airport were Myanmar
SPDC Chairman and Prime Minister Senior-General Than Shwe, SPDC First
Secretary Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, Second Secretary Lieutenant-
General Tin Oo, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin
and Lieutenant-General Tin Tun and other government officials.
Chinese ambassador Liang Dong was also present.
China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and
rivers and the two peoples enjoy traditional "paukphaw" (fraternal)
friendship.
China and Myanmar jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful
Coexistence, based on which the two countries' friendly and
cooperative ties have continuously consolidated and developed.
In recent years, there have been frequent exchanges of visits by
leaders of the two countries. Chairman of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference National Committee Li Ruihuan, Vice-
Premier Wu Bangguo, State Councilors Luo Gan and Ismail Amat have
visited Myanmar, while Myanmar SPDC Chairman and Prime Minister Than
Shwe, SPDC First Secretary Khin Nyunt and Foreign Minister U Win Aung
have also travelled to China for visits.
These visits have pushed ahead the development of the two countries'
bilateral ties.
__________________ INTERNATIONAL __________________
INFO BIRMANIE: TRANSLATION OF FRENCH MPS REPORT ON YADANA PIPELINE
(EXCERPT)
[The original report was published in late 1999 and distributed in
translation in June 2000.]
.
The controversial installation of Total in Burma: the construction of
the Yadana gas pipeline and forced labor...
The mission judges that the link between the military presence, the
acts of violence against the populations and the forced labor is
established as a fact. Total had to be aware of that fact. What
happened before the actual building of the pipeline when the Burmese
army secured and cleared the area? Who built the military camps that
have multiplied there? Who provided food to these troops?
The mission agrees with Mr. Martial Cozette, Director of the "Centre
français de l'information sur les entreprises" (French information
center about companies): " As far as Total is concerned, the Center
noticed that several pieces of information are ambiguous and that the
company has not taken enough precautions in a country whose
government is notoriously using very brutal methods towards the
minorities and the population. These two elements, clearness and
caution, were only taken into account by Total at the end of 1996.
However, if the risks had been analyzed in the gas pipeline area, no
information was given on the subject from 1992 to 1996. Such
information was only issued when work began and after the pipeline
area had been pacified. There was nothing left to see then.
Eventually, a few journalists were able to go and visit the site at
the end of 1996, but Total should have organized it before. The
information given by Total is often contradictory: at the beginning
of 1994, the group said that the pipeline did not go through any
delicate environmental area and that the shortest path had been
chosen so as to reduce its impact. The current pipeline path is in
contradiction with this information.
During 1996 meetings, Total kept on saying there could be no Human
Rights violations or forced labor because work had not begun. But
this is not a proof because before the building of the pipeline,
preliminary operations had been attacked by Karen guerrillas in March
1995, with victims among the technical personnel. " This analysis is
similar to that of the American chargé d'affaires in Rangoon, with
whom the mission had a talk. He explained that "having a helicopter
at his disposal and thanks to his military attaché, he was able to
visit the gas pipeline site without having to ask MOGE, with the
purpose of investigating the forced labor accusations made against
Total and Unocal." According to him, " forced labor could not have
existed during construction of the pipeline, because this required
considerable means and skilled personnel." Nevertheless, he showed
deep concern about security in the area and did not exclude the
possibility of guerrilla warfare operations.
It seems artificial to separate the construction of the pipeline,
which required the hiring of qualified labor and considerable
technical means from the measures taken by the Burmese regime to
ensure its safety. These security measures were what generated forced
labor and population displacements in the area.
The bill of indictment of the trial against Unocal in the US
specified that "during negotiation, the litigants made arrangements
for the SLORC to clear the path and to ensure the security of the
pipeline project (...) Unocal and Total gave money to the SLORC to
cover the expenses involved with the pipeline project (...) the
defendant companies knew that the SLORC, its armed forces and its
security services were violating the Human Rights with forced labor
and forced displacements within the framework of the pipeline
project". The mission considers that Total and Unocal did not
deliberately use forced labor for the construction of the pipeline
but indirectly benefited from it due to the militarization of the
area. For this reason, the delegation is not in favor of Total's
establishment in Burma.
_______________ ECONOMY AND BUSINESS _______________
BBC: BURMA'S POWERFUL DRUG INDUSTRY
Tuesday, 6 June, 2000,
Opium production is rife in idyllic northern Burma
By the BBC's Kieran Cooke
In the global drugs production league, Burma has long been one of the
world's top producers of opium, the base ingredient for heroin.
US drug enforcement agencies estimate opium production in Burma last
year to have been about 1,200 tons. Only Afghanistan produced more of
the drug.
It's estimated that less than 1% of Burma's annual opium production
is intercepted by the authorities - the rest is smuggled out through
China or Thailand onto the world market.
Earlier this year a group of Western journalists was ferried by the
Burmese military to the hills in the north of the country, close to
the border with China.
Here they watched soldiers and local tribespeople destroy fields of
opium-producing poppies. In all more than 200 acres of poppy crop -
worth, when processed, hundreds of thousands of dollars - was cut
down and burned.
Officials want to eradicate the heroin trade by 2005
Burma's military regime and local chiefs had a clear message for the
outside world: Burma was determined to eradicate opium production.
The government in Rangoon, trying hard to improve its international
image, said that by 2005 no more opium would be produced within the
country's borders.
Officials implicated
The international drug enforcement agencies are not celebrating yet.
Though UN drug experts say Burma does seem intent on cutting back on
its opium production, over the years there have been persistent
reports that senior officials of the military regime are involved in
the drugs trade, and that funds from the drugs business still find
their way into government coffers.
Government forces cannot destroy every Opium crop
The other critical factor is that the government in Rangoon is both
militarily and financially unable to tackle the power of the
country's drug barons. Opium production takes place mainly in the
hilly country near Burma's border with China. It is a beautiful,
remote region of mist-shrouded peaks and jungle valleys. For years
Rangoon has been fighting a series of seccessionist battles in these
territories.
Chronically overstretched and underarmed, the Burmese military has
sought to either play one insurgent group off against another or do
peacemaking deals with various rebel factions.
Among a series of such deals agreed in the late 1980's, Rangoon
granted autonomy to the Wa - an insurgent rebel group living in the
opium growing area near the Chinese border.
'A state within a state'
Since that time the Wa, led by remnants of Burma's old communist
party and known for its ferocity in combat, has built a formidable
state within a state, complete with its own army, on the profits of
the drugs trade. Rangoon, extremely reluctant to provoke any
conflict with the Wa, is virtually powerless to tackle the region's
drug trade.
The Wa, led by a number of powerful and ruthless families with
worldwide contacts, have been able to build up a highly-organised and
sophisticated drugs business. They have even spent millions of
dollars employing engineers and technicians from Thailand and
elsewhere to build modern townships on their territory.
Like any global corporation, the Wa use their enormous financial
clout to invest in ever more advanced technical equipment and change
their marketing strategies.
Drug producers diversify
In recent years, as worldwide pressure to erradicate opium production
has grown, the Wa have invested heavily in the production of
methamphetamines or speed. Laboratories in Wa territory now turn
out hundreds of thousands of these tablets each day. Drug officials
say much of the raw material is purchased in China.
A single methamphetamine tablet costs about 8 US cents to produce in
Burma - by the time it reaches Bangkok it sells for more than US$3.
Thai officials say the country is now facing an epidemic of the drug -
in Thai called Yaba or the mad drug - and have called on Rangoon to
take urgent action.
So far there is little sign that the Wa are curbing their activities.
Western drug officials say the whole local economy in the Wa
controlled region now revolves round the drug trade.
They point out that poor farmers need help to turn to other crops
besides the opium poppy, yet western governments are reluctant to
give Burma any aid.
The west is also deeply opposed to giving Rangoon military help.
Without it, it seems likely the Wa and others will continue to make
millions from their lethal trade.
____________________________________________________
BANGKOK POST: WA 'SEEKING ALTERNATIVE TO DRUG TRADE'
June 6, 2000
Experimenting with mining, cultivation
Nusara Thaitawat
The United Wa State Army, the biggest drug trafficking organisation
in Southeast Asia, has since early this year initiated gold and
silver mining in its southern military command with the help of
Chinese experts.
A source with ties on both sides of the Thai-Burmese border, said
heavy machinery had been used to drill through mountains near Mong
Yawn, opposite Ban San Ton Du in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai. But
he could not confirm any findings so far. He said mining and vast
agricultural projects in Mong Yawn and surrounding areas were being
presented as part of the Wa's effort to find an alternative to drug
trafficking.
The Wa army's political arm, the United Wa State Party, had already
announced it would stop involvement in drugs by 2005. The party has
its headquarters at Pangsanh, in Burma's Shan state.
The source estimated some 120,000 Wa soldiers, their dependents and
other civilians had been relocated from various areas to newly-
developed settlements opposite Mae Ai district.
Some 90,000 people were reported to be in Mong Yawn and surrounding
areas under the leadership of Wei Xai-tang. The rest were
reportedly in Ban Hong, opposite Ban San Maked, Mae Fah Luang
district of Chiang Rai, under Wei Hsueh- kang, who is wanted by
Thailand and the United States on drug trafficking charges. The
source said most new settlers under Wei Xai-tang were ethnic Wa,
while those under Wei Hsueh-kang were largely ethnic Chinese from
mainland China as well as from the Shan state and other regions of
Burma.
He said Wa leaders in both Mong Yawn and Ban Hong had started
huge agricultural projects "a few years ago", including rice
cultivation and fruit orchards which were getting labour from new
settlers.
Early experiments with rice cultivation were unsuccessful because
of a large population of rats in Mong Yawn, the source said.
"Most of the rice fields and orchards are owned by the leaders in
both settlements. Some orchards have up to 30,000 trees," he
said. "Part of the harvest goes to feed the army."New settlers were
guaranteed one year's supply of rice and every adult received a
monthly allowance of 50 baht, the source said. "Drug trafficking
will certainly go on until at least 2005," he said, adding it was
difficult to absorb all the new settlers and to build a self-
sufficient community from largely uneducated soldiers.
Thai authorities are keeping a close watch on developments in Wa-
controlled areas.
____________________________________________________
FREE BURMA COALITION - MINNESOTA: CARLSON COMPANIES PULLS OUT OF BURMA
Withdraw Comes Days Before Proposed Human Rights Resolution in
Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN (June 1, 2000)-Carlson Holdings, Inc., a leading
corporation in the hospitality industry with strong community ties to
the Twin Cities, ended its business ventures inside Burma earlier
this month. Although Carlson's dealings in Burma has been diminishing
over the years, an independent investment agency reported that
Carlson officially withdrew as of the beginning of May. The cessation
of operations rode the heels of a human rights resolution in the
Minneapolis City Council passed May 19 that would have prevented
Carlson from conducting business with the City due to its presence in
Burma. The Mayor vetoed the resolution a few days later. However, the
message was not lost on Carlson management, who undoubtedly saw the
writing on the wall.
A multi-ethnic country between India and Thailand, Burma is
controlled by a violent military dictatorship that relies on foreign
investment to maintain its oppressive rule, operate a massive slave
labor system, and launder drug trade profits.
The Investor Responsibility Research Commission (IRRC) produces a
report on Burma used by many governments, institutions, and
individual investors. IRRC's May 2000 edition reported Carlson's
confirmation of ending business ventures in Burma. Carlson and its
subsidiaries had had several operations: managing boat and land
tourism packages, sailing the luxury liner Song of Flower into
Rangoon harbor, and promoting the tourist trade in Burma in
collaboration with the military rulers.
Carlson companies is joined by Minnesota-based King Koil in cutting
ties with the military regime this month, along with several other
multinational corporations in the US and abroad. 3M remains the last
hometown company that does business with Burma's dictators.
For years, the Free Burma Coalition has protested Carlson's tourist
trade. Patti Hurd, co-director of the Free Burma Coalition explains
that "tourism dollars and business ventures are wholly controlled by
the military rulers who reap virtually all the financial benefits;
Carlson could not enter Burma without contributing to the soldiers'
aggression on the people." The US has sanctions in place, but Carlson
avoided them due to a loophole in the federal trade act. As recently
as last year, Carlson vehemently denied any human rights violations
in Burma, claimed bringing tourists into the country would help
monitor the military's actions, and chastised activists for
promoting "isolationism."
Although management offered no explanation, the turn-about indicates
a change in Carlson's business philosophy towards respecting human
rights and accounting for business decisions.
Free Burma activists are relieved. "It was sad when the Mayor killed
our human rights resolution," said Aung Koe, a Burmese dissident
living in Minnesota. "But now, Carlson realized their role in the
holocaust in my country and wanted to back away from being part of it-
even without the city government's support!"
_________________OPINION/EDITORIALS________________
JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE (JAPAN): ON LT. GEN. KHIN NYUNT'S VISIT TO
JAPAN
June 6, 2000
We want to express our deepest sympathy for the death of former
Japanese Prime Minister Obuchi Keizo on May 14. His leadership and
direction for the nation went unquestioned. We had that much respect
for his judgment. He was the first Japanese prime minister who met
with a top Burmese military leader since 1988. Prime Minister Obuchi
met Senior General Than Shwe during ASEAN summit meeting at Manila,
Philippines last November. He gave a clear message to the military
junta that without significant political reforms, Burma could only
receive little help from Japan. We, the Burmese people, much
appreciate his willingness to restore democracy in our motherland and
felt a great loss when he passed away.
But, we are very frustrated and humiliated when we learn that Lt.
Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary (1) of SPDC, will attend the late Obuchi's
funeral. We would like to question why Japan grant a visa for such a
person who is black listed by the United States of America and EU
countries. There are tons of reasons, not to permit Khin Nyunt to
land on Japanese soil.
1. Khin Nyunt does not represent Burma and the Burmese people at
all. His military junta is not a legitimate government elected by the
peoples vote, but which continuously refuse to transfer the power to
the elected representatives of 1990 general election.
2. Khin Nyunt is the commanding person of the bloody coup in
1988 in which thousands of Burmese people who peacefully demonstrate
for democracy were brutally killed.
3. Khin Nyunt is the chief of notorious military intelligence,
which is responsible for jailing, torturing, threatening, confining,
restricting the democracy activists inside Burma.
4. Khin Nyunt and the junta provide a safe heaven for drug
warlords, such as Khun Sa and Lau Sit Han in the country and allow
using their drug money freely. The drug warlords can even continue
their drug trafficking and can control their drug businesses from the
safe capital.
5. Khin Nyunt and his fellow generals never ever make any
democratic reform yet. Instead they impose tighter grip on Burmese
people and rule the country at gunpoint.
6. Khin Nyunt is the most responsible person for forced labor
and other human rights violations in Burma. Military continues to
practice killing, raping, torturing, forced relocating, systematic
ethnic cleansing despite international protests.
7. Khin Nyunt and the junta stubbornly refuse to start dialogue
with NLD, which won the landslide victory in 1990 general election.
They never try to resolve the dilemma by political means but by
force.
8. Khin Nyunt and his colleagues defy the international
community by taking hostage of 45 million Burmese people. Nobody
could see any change toward democracy as late Prime Minister Obuchi
described. But they demand aids and loans from Japan and other
countries like as ransom money.
9. Khin Nyunt is the one who mercilessly refused to grant a visa
for the dying Michael Aris, whose last wish is to see his beloved
wife Aung San Suu Kyi. Khin Nyunt never consider of humanity at all.
But he wants humanitarian aids. And Japanese government grants him a
visa!
10. Finally, Khin Nyunt only represents the worldÆs most repressive
military regime, not the Burmese people.
We are shocked and surprise why Japanese government allow such a
cruel and wicked person to attend a state funeral as an honored
guest. Burmese people and the democracy activists abroad strongly
protest Khin Nyunt's visit to Japan.
And we strongly urged the Japanese government not to yield further
privileges to him and his colleagues.
We release this statement on behalf of the Burmese people whose
voices are suppressed by Khin Nyunt and the military regime and on
behalf of democracy activists inside Burma as well as in Japan and
other countries.
JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE
National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)-Japan Branch
Burmese Association In Japan
Burma Youth Volunteer Association (Japan)
Burmese Women's Union (Japan)
Students' Organization for Liberation of Burma
_____________________ OTHER ______________________
BURMANET: CORRECTION
Yesterday's issue carried an editorial entitled THE GLOBE AND MAIL
(UK): ONCE UPON A TIME IN BURMA. The Globe and Mail is published in
Canada. To the several readers who pointed this out, many thanks
from your geographically challenged editor.
If you see an article about Burma especially from sources other than
the wire services, please forward them to BurmaNet and if possible,
include the country of origin.
________________
The BurmaNet News is an Internet newspaper providing comprehensive
coverage of news and opinion on Burma (Myanmar).
For a subscription to Burma's only free daily newspaper, write to:
strider@xxxxxxx
You can also contact BurmaNet by phone or fax:
Voice mail or fax (US) +1(202) 318-1261
You will be prompted to press 1 for a voice message or 2 to send a
fax. If you do neither, a fax tone will begin automatically.
Fax (Japan) +81 (3) 4512-8143
________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyday Is Kid's Day
Dad Only Has One
Click Here To Make It Special
http://click.egroups.com/1/5038/6/_/713843/_/960401603/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
theburmanetnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx